I'm a fan of Bethesda Softworks Elder Scrolls series, especially Daggerfall, where character advancement is based on skill use. I wanted to incorporate something similar into Dead Souls. Below is my design strategy and I'm looking for suggestions and comments from the experienced Admins out there:
When logging in (/lib/secure/lib/connect.c) the player is able to choose 5 primary, 3 secondary, and 5 minor skills from the current base Dead Souls skill selections - more skill selections can be added later as needed. This allows for a decent degree of player customization for their character. For example, mage types can be proficient at blade attack as well as use magic, etc.
Leveling is based on increasing skill levels. The more the player uses the skill the faster they will level. Currently, I have leveling increases occurring when the player reaches their maximum skill levels in 3 of the primary, 2 of the secondary, and 1 of the minor skills. Along with training points, I also wanted to add a random number of customization points. Stats will cap out at 100 and no more customization points will be allotted when leveling.
I've looked at /lib/lvs/abilities.c and have decided not to mess with the way skills and skill points are increased and alloted so far. Of course the fun part will be creating new lib or domain files that are used for training ( using eventTrain() ) and creating and adding new skills!
Just wondering if anybody has done this and has some suggestions. I'm in the finalization part on this mod and will post the code when finished, but now it is at the point where making modifications may be relatively easy. Also the mud will be able to be configured for incorporating skill based or class based character configuration, as well as skill based or XP based character leveling.
Thanks in advance for comments and suggestions...
Below is the output for character creation after a player has chosen their primary, secondary, and 4 of 5 minor skills (text displayed is shown before the character enters the game):
You must now pick 1 MINOR Skills.
Picking these skills determines how your character will increase in levels.The
more you use a skill the faster your level will increase.
You may issue the following commands:
help - shows the help file for SKILLS
pick SKILL - pick a particular SKILL for yourself
You have chosen the following PRIMARY Skills:
blade attack
blunt attack
knife attack
magic attack
projectile attack
You have chosen the following SECONDARY Skills:
conjuring
faith
healing
You have chosen the following MINOR Skills:
bargaining
fishing
stealing
stealth
Valid skills:
blade defense blunt defense concealment
detection knife defense magic defense
melee attack melee defense multi-hand
multi-weapon murder projectile defense
psionic attack psionic defense psionic detection
Skill:
detection
PRIMARY Skills picked:
magic attack
blade attack
knife attack
projectile attack
blunt attack
SECONDARY Skills picked:
conjuring
healing
faith
MINOR Skills picked:
bargaining
stealth
stealing
fishing
detection
If you wish to create a different character use the command 'suicide' after
logging in and start over. Have FUN!